Sayings of the Desert Fathers
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The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Latin: Apophthegmata Patrum Aegyptiorum; Greek: ἀποφθέγματα τῶν πατέρων, romanized: Apophthégmata tōn Patérōn[1][2]) is the name given to various textual collections consisting of stories and sayings attributed to the Desert Fathers from approximately the 5th century AD.[3][4]
The collections consist of wisdom stories describing the spiritual practices and experiences of early Christian hermits living in the desert of Egypt. They are typically in the form of a conversation between a younger monk and his spiritual father, or as advice given to visitors. Beginning as an oral tradition in the Coptic language, they were only later written down as Greek text. The stories were extremely popular among early Christian monks, and appeared in various forms and collections.[5]
The original sayings were passed down from monk to monk, though in their current version most simply describe the stories in the form of "Abba X said ..." The early Desert Fathers also received many visitors seeking counseling, typically by asking "Give me a word, abba" or "Speak a word, abba, how can I be saved?" Some of the sayings are responses to those seeking guidance.[6]
Many notable Desert Fathers are mentioned in the collections, including Anthony the Great, Abba Arsenius, Abba Poemen, Abba Macarius of Egypt, Abba Pachomius the Great, Abba Amoun the Hermit and Abba Moses the Black.[7] The sayings also include those of three different ammas, most notably Syncletica of Alexandria.[6] Sayings of the Desert Fathers influenced many notable theologians, including Saint Jerome and Saint Augustine.[8]
History of the text
The Desert Fathers spoke Coptic, the latest stage of ancient Egyptian. The sayings were originally passed on orally in Coptic, but the original written version was Greek.[9] The earliest written record of the sayings appears to be from the end of the 4th century AD. Two versions from the 5th century, the Collectio Monastica, written in Ethiopic, and the Asceticon of Isaiah of Scetis, written in Greek, show how the oral tradition became the written collections.[5] There are surviving fragments of the Sayings in both the Sahidic and Bohairic dialects of Coptic, but they represent back-translations from Greek. They were collected and published by Marius Chaîne.[5]
The Sayings have been translated in whole or in part several times. Pelagius and John the Deacon made the first translations into Latin. Martin of Braga also translated some of the Sayings into Latin, followed by a more extensive translation by Paschasius of Dumium in approximately 555.[10] That work may contain only one fifth of the original Greek text.[11] In the 17th century, the Dutch Jesuit Heribert Rosweyde compiled and translated all the available sources on the Desert Fathers and published them in Latin as the Vitae patrum.
Two translations in Aramaic were made: the Nestorian monk Ânân Îshô's translation into Classical Syriac from the early 7th century, known as the Paradise of the Fathers; and a Christian Palestinian Aramaic translation known from dispersed fragments for the early transmission (6th to 7th century AD)[12] as well as a fragmentary version for the later period (ca. 10th to 11th century AD), originating from or still housed at the Monastery of St Catherine, Mount Sinai[13][14][15] There are also Armenian translations of both the Alphabetical and Systematic collections.[5] In the period 867–872, Methodius of Thessaloniki translated the text into Old Church Slavonic, of which the original was lost in the 14th century, but several dozen copies of the Paterik' (Патерікъ) survived.[16] Some of the Sayings are preserved in Arabic and Georgian translations.[5] Through the Asceticon, some of the Sayings made their way into Sogdian.[17]
Helen Waddell translated a selection of elements from the Vitae patrum into English in the early 20th century.[18] The first complete translation of the alphabetical "apophthegmata" into English is that of Benedicta Ward (1975).[19] English translations of the alphabetical,[20] systematic,[21] and anonymous collections[22] were also later published by John Wortley from 2012 to 2014. The most comprehensive critical edition of the alphabetical "apophthegmata" was published by Tim Vivian in two volumes (2021, 2023).[23][24]
Examples
- One time, the blessed Abba Theophilus the archbishop went to Scetis. But the brothers gathered and said to Abba Pambo: 'Tell the Father one word that he may benefit.' The old man told them: 'If he does not always benefit from our silence, then if we speak he will still not benefit.'[25]
- Abbot Pastor said: 'If a man has done wrong and does not deny it, but says: "I did wrong," do not rebuke him, because you will break the resolution of his soul. And if you tell him: "Do not be sad, brother," but watch it in the future, you stir him up to change his life.'[26]
- A hermit saw someone laughing, and said to him, "We have to render an account of our whole life before heaven and earth, and you can laugh?"[27]
- Abba Longinus said to Abba Acacius: 'A woman knows she has conceived when she no longer loses any blood. So it is with the soul, she knows she has conceived the Holy Spirit when the passions stop coming out of her. But as long as one is held back in the passions, how can one dare to believe one is sinless? Give blood and receive the Spirit.'[28]
Collections
Different Sayings collections include the Alphabetic Sayings, the Systematic Sayings, and the Anonymous Sayings.[9]
Anonymous Sayings
The sections of the Anonymous Sayings (Wortley 2013) are:[22]
Sayings | English | Greek |
---|---|---|
1–36 | – | – |
37–54 | Concerning imperial officials | Περὶ τῶν Μαγιστριανῶν |
55–131 | Concerning the holy habit of monks | Περὶ τοῦ σχήματος τοῦ ἁγίου τῶν μοναχῶν |
132 | Concerning anchorites | Περὶ ἀναχωρητῶν |
133–143 | That we should pursue hêsychia and grief for sin | Ὅτι δεῖ τὴν ἡσυχίαν καὶ τὴν κατάνυξιν μεταδιώκειν |
144–215 | Concerning temperance | Περὶ ἐγκρατείας |
216–253 | On discretion | Περὶ διακρίσεως |
254–255 | That one must be on his guard against judging anybody | Ὅτι φυλάττεσθαι χρὴ τὸ μηδένα κρίνει |
256–263 | That nothing should be done for ostentation and that avarice should be avoided | Περὶ τοῦ μηδὲν εἰς ἐπίδειξιν ποιεῖν, καὶ πλεονεξίαν ἀποστρέφεσθαι |
264–280 | That one should always be vigilant | Περὶ τοῦ δεῖν πάντοτε νήφειν |
281–289 | On the necessity of being joyfully compassionate and hospitable | Ὅτι χρὴ ἐλεεῖν καὶ φιλοξενεῖν ἐν ἱλαρότητι |
290–297 | On obedience | Περὶ ὑπακοῆς |
298–334 | On humble-mindedness | Περὶ ταπεινοφροσύνης |
335–343 | Concerning forbearance | Περὶ ἀνεξικακίας |
344–358 | Concerning charity | Περὶ ἀγάπης |
359–453 | On those who have the gift of second sight | Περὶ διορατικῶν |
454–474 | Concerning porneia | Περὶ πορνείας |
475–518 | On not passing judgement | Περὶ τοῦ μὴ κρίνειν |
519–765 | Concerning grief for sin [katanyxis, compunctio] | Περὶ κατανύξεως |
Wortley's Greek text of the Anonymous Sayings is based on the following manuscripts. [22]: 7
- MS Paris Coislin 126, (10th-11th centuries), contains 676 sayings
- MS Sinai St. Catherine 448 (1004 AD), contains 765 sayings
- MS Vatic. Graec. 1599 (10th century), contains 765 sayings
Alphabetical Sayings
The Alphabetical Sayings (Ward 1984) list the sayings of 131 Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers. Although some of the Desert Fathers quoted in the collection are well known, other names are obscure and difficult to identify.[29]
- Anthony the Great
- Arsenius
- Agathon
- Ammonas
- Achilles
- Ammoes
- Amoun of Nitria
- Anoub
- Abraham of Scetes
- Ares
- Alonius
- Apphy
- Apollo the Shepherd
- Andrew
- Aio
- Ammonathas
- Basil the Great
- Bessarion of Egypt
- Benjamin
- Biare (or Biares)
- Gregory the Theologian
- Gelasius of Nilopolis
- Gerontius of Petra
- Daniel
- Dioscorus
- Doulas
- Epiphanius of Salamis, Bishop of Cyprus
- Ephrem the Syrian
- Eucharistus the Secular
- Eulogius the Priest
- Euprepius of Egypt
- Helladius
- Evagrius Ponticus
- Eudaemon
- Zeno of Gaza
- Zachariah the Recluse
- Isaiah of Gaza
- Elias the Hermit
- Heraclides
- Theodore of Pherme
- Theodore of Enaton
- Theodore of Scetis
- Theodore of Eleutheropolis
- Theonas
- Theophilus the Archbishop
- Theodora of Alexandria
- John the Dwarf
- John the Cenobite
- Isidore the Priest
- Isidore of Pelusium
- Isaac of the Cells
- Joseph of Panephysis
- James
- Hierax
- John the Eunuch
- John of the Cells
- John of the Thebaid
- John the Persian
- John the Theban
- John, disciple of Abba Paul
- Isaac the Theban
- Joseph of Thebes
- Hilarion
- Ischyrion
- Cassian
- Cronius of Nitria
- Carion the Egyptian
- Copres
- Cyrus
- Lucius
- Lot
- Longinus
- Macarius the Great
- Moses the Black
- Matoes
- Mark, disciple of Abba Silvanus
- Milesius (or Miles[20])
- Motius
- Megethius
- Mius of Belos
- Mark the Egyptian
- Macarius of Alexandria
- Nilus
- Nisterus
- Nisterus the Cenobite
- Nicon
- Netras
- Nicetas
- Xoius
- Xanthias
- Olympius
- Orsisius
- Poemen (called the Shepherd)
- Pambo
- Pistus
- Pior
- Pityrion
- Pistamon
- Peter the Pionite
- Paphnutius the Ascetic
- Paul
- Paul the Barber
- Paul the Great
- Paul the Simple
- Peter of Dios
- an Abba of Rome (most likely Arsenius)
- Rufus
- Romanus
- Sisoes the Great
- Silvanus
- Simon
- Sopatrus
- Sarmatas
- Serapion of Nitria
- Serinus
- Spyridon
- Saius
- Sarah of the Desert
- Syncletica
- Tithoes
- Timothy
- Hyperechios
- Phocas
- Felix
- Philagrius
- Phortas
- Chomas
- Chaeremon
- Psenthaisius
- Or
Systematic Sayings
The 20 chapters of the Systematic Sayings (Wortley 2012) are:[21]
Chapter | Title |
---|---|
Prologue | Prologue to The Book of the Elders Called Paradise |
1 | An Exhortation of Holy Fathers on Advancing toward Perfection |
2 | Every Effort Should Be Made to Pursue Hesychia |
3 | Sorrow for Sin [Katanyxis, "Compunction"] |
4 | Self-Control [Egkrateia] Should Be Achieved Not Only in the Case of Food but Also in Other Movements of the Soul |
5 | Various Narratives for Security in the Wars Arising against Us from Porneia |
6 | Poverty [Aktemosyne] and That It Is Necessary to Guard against Covetousness |
7 | Various Narratives Preparing Us for Patience and Courage |
8 | One Should Do Nothing for Show |
9 | One Should Guard against Judging Anybody |
10 | Discretion [Diakrisis] |
11 | One Should Ever Be on Watch |
12 | One Should Pray without Ceasing |
13 | One Must Joyfully Practice Hospitality and Show Compassion |
14 | Obedience |
15 | Humility |
16 | Forbearance [Anexikakia] |
17 | Love [Agape] |
18 | Those Who Have Second Sight [Dioratikoi] |
19 | Wonder-Working Elders |
20 | Virtuous Living |
Versions
There are four major versions of the Systematic Collection, in Greek, Latin, Syriac, and Armenian. The earliest Greek manuscript of the Systematic Sayings is MS Athos Lavra B 37 (copied in 970 AD).[21]: xx The contents of each are:[9]
Book | Chapter Titles | No. of Sayings |
---|---|---|
Book I | Exhortation of the holy fathers concerning progress toward perfection | 37 |
Book II | Concerning peace (hesychia) to be pursued with all eagerness | 35 |
Book III | Concerning compunction | 56 |
Book IV | Concerning temperance in food and concerning the mastery of all | 104 |
Book V | Various stories to keep on guard against assaults of luxury | 54 |
Book VI | Concerning poverty and the necessity of keeping oneself from avarice | 28 |
Book VII | Various stories training us to patience and courage | 62 |
Book VIII | That nothing be done for show | 32 |
Book IX | To be on watch to not judge anyone | 26 |
Book X | Concerning discernment | 194 |
Book XI | Concerning the necessity of constant vigilance | 127 |
Book XII | Concerning unceasing prayer | 28 |
Book XIII | Concerning hospitality and almsgiving done with joy | 19 |
Book XIV | Concerning obedience | 32 |
Book XV | Concerning humility | 136 |
Book XVI | Concerning long-suffering | 30 |
Book XVII | Concerning charity | 35 |
Book XVIII | Concerning great visionaries | 53 |
Book XIX | Concerning those who work miracles | 21 |
Book XX | Concerning virtuous behavior | 24 |
Book XXI | Sayings of those who endure in asceticism, showing their eminent virtue | 66 |
Total | 1199 |
Book | Chapter Titles | No. of Sayings |
---|---|---|
Book I | Concerning the perfecting of the fathers | 23 |
Book II | Concerning quiet | 16 |
Book III | Concerning compunction | 27 |
Book IV | Concerning continence | 70 |
Book V | Concerning fornication | 41 |
Book VI | Concerning [the idea] that a monk should possess nothing | 22 |
Book VII | Concerning patience, or fortitude | 47 |
Book VIII | Concerning [the idea] that nothing should be done for show | 24 |
Book IX | Concerning that we should judge no man | 12 |
Book X | Concerning discernment | 113 |
Book XI | Concerning [the idea] that it is right to live soberly | 54 |
Book XII | Concerning [the idea] that we ought to pray unceasingly and soberly | 15 |
Book XIII | Concerning [the idea] that it is best to be hospitable and show mercy with cheerfulness | 14 |
Book XIV | Concerning obedience | 19 |
Book XV | Concerning humility | 89 |
Book XVI | Concerning patience | 19 |
Book XVII | Concerning charity | 25 |
Book XVIII | Concerning foresight or contemplation | 36 |
Book XIX | Concerning the holy old men who used to work signs | 17 |
Book XX | Concerning the best sayings of various saints | 18 |
Book XXI | The 7 chapters that Abba Moses sent to Abba Poemen [and other miscellaneous sayings] | 24 |
Total | 725 |
Book | Chapter Titles | No. of Sayings |
---|---|---|
Book I, Chapter 1 | Palladius on flight from men and silent contemplation | Sayings 1–62 |
Book I, Chapter 2 | Concerning fasting and abstinence | Sayings 63–104 |
Book I, Chapter 3 | Concerning the reading of the scriptures, night vigils, the service of the Psalms, and constant prayer | Sayings 105–135 |
Book I, Chapter 4 | Concerning the weeping and mourning for sins | Sayings 136–157 |
Book I, Chapter 5 | Concerning voluntary poverty | Sayings 158–182 |
Book I, Chapter 6 | Concerning patient endurance | Sayings 183–237 |
Book I, Chapter 7 | Concerning obedience to God and man | Sayings 238–247 |
Book I, Chapter 8 | Concerning watchfulness in thought, word, and deed | Sayings 248–392 |
Book I, Chapter 9 | Concerning love, charity, and hospitality | Sayings 393–443 |
Book I, Chapter 10 | Concerning humility | Sayings 444–558 |
Book I, Chapter 11 | Concerning fornication | Sayings 559–597 |
Book I, Chapter 12 | Concerning the acceptance of repentance | Sayings 598–613 |
Book I, Chapter 13 | Concerning the fathers who wrought wonderful works | Sayings 614–630 |
Book I, Chapter 14 | Concerning the greatness of the solitary life | Sayings 631–635 |
Book II, Chapters 1–15 | Questions and answers on the ascetic rule | Sayings 1–539 |
Book II, Chapters 16–17 | Questions and answers by the fathers and monks | Sayings 540–576 |
Book II, Chapter 18 | Questions and answers on the vision of the mind | Sayings 577–602 |
Appendix | Sayings 603–705 |
Book | Chapter Titles | No. of Sayings |
---|---|---|
Book I | Concerning perfect virtue | 46 + 116R |
Book II | Concerning quiet | 28 + 37R |
Book III | Concerning compunction and tears | 50 + 36R |
Book IV | Concerning abstinence | 58 + 63R |
Book V | Concerning fornication | 81 + 47R |
Book VI | Concerning destitution | 20 + 23R |
Book VII | Concerning strength and forbearance | 45 + 49R |
Book VIII | Concerning doing nothing for show | 18 + 15R |
Book IX | Concerning discernment | 27 + 19R |
Book X | Concerning divine and right judgment | 79 + 114R |
Book XI | Concerning vigilance and sobriety | 34 + 51R |
Book XII | Concerning prayer | 11 + 14R |
Book XIII | Concerning being hospitable and merciful | 17 + 19R |
Book XIV | Concerning obedience | 17 + 19R |
Book XV | Concerning humility | 71 + 100R |
Book XVI | Concerning forgetfulness of injuries | 9 + 18R |
Book XVII | Concerning loving God and neighbor | 26 + 35R |
Book XVIII | Concerning spirit-seeing and wonder-working of the fathers | 93 + 39R |
Book XIX | Concerning the conversation of the fathers | 28 + 26R |
Total | 1598 |
See also
- Asceticon
- Ethiopic Collectio Monastica
- Ethics of the Fathers
- Gospel of Thomas
- Kōan
- Lausiac History
- Patericon
- Vitae Patrum
- Wisdom literature
Notes
- ^ From the Greek: apo, from; phtheggomai, to cry out; pater, father.
- ^ Orthodox Encyclopedia, in Russian, Vol. 3, pp. 140-142.
- ^ Gould, Graham (2001). Papers presented at the Thirteenth International Conference on Patristic Studies held in Oxford 1999. Studia Patristica. Peeters Publishers. ISBN 978-90-429-0922-9.
- ^ W. Bousset. Apophthegmata. Tuebingen, 1923, p. 68.
- ^ a b c d e Burton-Christie, Douglas (1993). The Word in the desert: scripture and the quest for holiness in early Christian monasticism. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press. pp. 76–86. ISBN 0-19-508333-4.
- ^ a b Chryssavgis, John; Ware, Kallistos; Ward, Benedicta (2008). In the Heart of the Desert: Revised Edition: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers (Treasures of the World's Religions). Bloomington, Ind.: World Wisdom. p. 4. ISBN 978-1-933316-56-7.
- ^ "Chryssavgis, pp. 19-29.
- ^ Flood, Gavin D. (2004). The ascetic self: subjectivity, memory and tradition. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-60401-X.
- ^ a b c Harmless, William (2004). Desert Christians: an introduction to the literature of early monasticism. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-516222-6.
- ^ Barlow, Claude (1969). Fathers of the Church: Iberian Fathers: Martin of Braga/Paschasius of Dumium/Leander of Seville. Washington, D.C: Catholic University of America Press. pp. 113–114. ISBN 0-8132-0062-8.
- ^ Barlow, p. 5-6.
- ^ Müller-Kessler, Christa (2022). "Piecing together Christian Palestinian Aramaic Texts under Georgian Manuscripts: (St Petersburg, NLR, Syr. 16; Sinai, Georg. NF 19, 71; Oslo, Martin Schøyen, MS 35, 37; Princeton, Garrett MS 24; Göttingen, Syr. 17, 19, 23, 25)", Digital Kartvelology 1, 41–44 https://adh.ge/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/M_ller-Kessler-DiKa-V1.pdf.
- ^ Brock, Sebastian P. (1995). Catalogue of Syriac Fragments (New Finds) in the Library of the Monastery of Saint Catherine, Mount Sinai, Athens: Mount Sinai Foundation, 89, 309.
- ^ Desreumaux, Alain apud Philothée du Sinaï (2008). Nouveaux manuscrits syriaques du Sinaï, Athens: Mount Sinai Foundation, 540–548.
- ^ Desreumaux, Alain (2010). "Les manuscrits araméens christo-palestiniens du nouveau fonds du monastère de Sainte-Catherine du Sinaï,” Comptes rendus des scéances l’Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres 154:3, 1325, fig. 6.
- ^ Veder, William (2012). The Scete Patericon v1-3. Amsterdam: Pegasus. ISBN 9789061433323.
- ^ "Abbā Isaiah". Encyclopaedia Iranica. 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2021-11-12.
- ^ Helen Waddell, The desert fathers (translations from the Vitae Patrum), London: Constable & co., 1936.
- ^ Benedicta Ward, The sayings of the Desert Fathers : the alphabetical collection, Kalamazoo, Michigan: Cistercian Publications, 1975 (revised edition, 1985).
- ^ a b Wortley, John (2014). Give Me a Word: The Alphabetical Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Popular Patristics Series. Vol. 52. Yonkers, New York: St Vladimir's Seminary Press. ISBN 978-0-88141-497-4.
- ^ a b c Wortley, John (2012). The Book of the Elders – sayings of the Desert Fathers: the systematic collection. Trappist, KY; Collegeville, MN: Cistercian Publications Liturgical Press. ISBN 978-0-87907-201-8.
- ^ a b c Wortley, John (2013). The anonymous sayings of the Desert Fathers. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-50988-6.
- ^ Vivian, Tim, ed. (2021). The sayings and stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers: A–H (Ȇta). Vol. 1. Collegeville, Minnesota: Cistercian Publications. ISBN 978-0-87907-109-7.
- ^ Vivian, Tim, ed. (2021). The sayings and stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers: Th–Ō (Thêta–Ōméga). Vol. 2. Collegeville, Minnesota: Cistercian Publications. ISBN 978-0-87907-292-6.
- ^ Anonymous. Krawiec, Rebecca; Marquis, Christine Luckritz; Schroeder, Caroline T.; Zeldes, Amir; Davidson, Elizabeth (eds.). "Apophthegmata Patrum Sahidic 114". Coptic Scriptorium. Translated by Zeldes, Amir. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ Merton, Thomas (2004-11-16). The Wisdom of the Desert: Sayings from the Desert Fathers of the Fourth Century (Gift ed.). Shambhala. p. 184. ISBN 1-59030-039-4.
- ^ Ward, Benedicta (2003-07-29). The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks (Revised ed.). Penguin Classics. ISBN 0-14-044731-8.
- ^ Benedicta Ward, ed. (1984), The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Alphabetical Collection (Rev. ed.), Cistercian Publications, p. 123.
- ^ Ward, Benedicta (1984). The sayings of the Desert Fathers: the alphabetical collection. Kalamazoo, MI: Cistercian Publications. ISBN 0-87907-959-2.
Further reading
- Williams, Rowan (2004-11-19). Silence and Honey Cakes: The Wisdom of the Desert. Lion Publishing plc. ISBN 0-7459-5170-8.
- Ward, Benedicta (2003-07-29). The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks (Revised ed.). Penguin Classics. ISBN 0-14-044731-8. (Systematic collection)
- Sourozh, Metropolitan Anthony of; Benedicta Ward (June 1987). The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Revised ed.). Cistercian Publications. ISBN 0-87907-959-2.
- Merton, Thomas (2004-11-16). The Wisdom of the Desert: Sayings from the Desert Fathers of the Fourth Century (Gift ed.). Shambhala. ISBN 1-59030-039-4.
- Wortley, John, ed. (2013). The Anonymous Sayings of the Desert Fathers: A Select Edition and Complete English Translation (in Greek and English). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-50988-6.
- Wortley, John (2014). Give Me a Word: The Alphabetical Sayings of the Desert Fathers. Popular Patristics Series. Vol. 52. Yonkers, New York: St Vladimir's Seminary Press. ISBN 978-0-88141-497-4.
- Wortley, John, ed. (2019). More sayings of the Desert Fathers: an English translation and notes. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-47108-4.
- Vivian, Tim, ed. (2021). The sayings and stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers: A–H (Ȇta). Vol. 1. Collegeville, Minnesota: Cistercian Publications. ISBN 978-0-87907-109-7.
- Vivian, Tim, ed. (2023). The sayings and stories of the Desert Fathers and Mothers: Th–Ō (Thêta–Ōméga). Vol. 2. Collegeville, Minnesota: Cistercian Publications. ISBN 978-0-87907-292-6.
- Nomura, Yushi. Desert Wisdom: Sayings from the Desert Fathers. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 2001.
- Regnault, Lucien. Les chemins de Dieu au désert: collection systematique des Apophtegmes des Pères. Solesmes: Éditions de Solesmes, 1992. (complete French translation of the Greek Systematic Collection)
- Dion, J. and G. Oury. Les Sentences des Pères du Désert: recueil de Pélage et Jean. Solesmes: Abbaye Saint-Pierre, 1966. (complete French translation of the Latin Systematic Collection (Verba Seniorum of Pelagius and John))
- Chaîne M. (ed). Le manuscrit de la version copte en dialect sahidique des "Apophthegmata Patrum". Bibliothèque d'études coptes 6. Cairo: Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale, 1960. (Sahidic Coptic text)
- Regnault, Lucien. Les Sentences des Pères du Désert: troisième recueil et tables. Sablé-sur-Sarthe: Solesmes, 1976. (French translation of the Bohairic Coptic version in p. 139–194, and of the Armenian version in p. 253–275)
- Budge, E. A. Wallis. The Sayings and Stories of the Christian Fathers of Egypt: The Syrian Version of the "Apophthegmata Patrum" (2 vol.). Reprint of 1934 ed. London: Kegan Paul Limited, 2002. (English translation of the Syriac Collection)
- Palladius of Galatia (1907). The Paradise or Garden of the Holy Fathers, Volume 2: Sayings of the Desert Fathers . Translated by Ernest Alfred Wallis Budge. Chatto & Windus.
- Leloir, Louis (ed). Paterica armeniaca a P. P. Mechitaristis edita (1855) nunc latine reddita. CSCO 353, 361, 371, 379. Louvain: Secrétariat du Corpus SCO, 1974–1976. (Armenian text)
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)
- Apophthegmata Patrum: The Greek Alphabetical Collection (English translation by Benedicta Ward; Greek text from Patrologia Graeca; digitized by Luke Dysinger)
- A bibliography of the various collections of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers